Johnny Depp engaged: why the star never married Vanessa Paradis

It was recently confirmed that Johnny Depp is engaged to his actress girlfriend Amber Heard. Some found the news hard to believe; Johnny and Amber have been dating for less than two years, and Johnny never popped the question to Vanessa Paradis, his partner of 14 years and the mother of his two children.

So why has the 50-year-old star decided to walk down the aisle with his Rum Diary co-star, 27

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Speaking to Extra in 2010, Johnny explained why he hadn’t wed French beauty Vanessa, with who he has two children, Lily-Rose, 14, and 11-year-old Jack.

“I never found myself needing that piece of paper,” he said. “Marriage is really from soul to soul, heart to heart. You don’t need somebody to say, okay you’re married.”

The Pirates of the Caribbean star certainly wasn’t opposed to the idea of marriage, however.

Johnny and Vanessa Paradis, the mother of his two children

“If Vanessa wanted to get hitched, why not,” he said. “But the thing is, I’d be so scared of ruining her last name! She’s got such a good last name.”

Johnny has been married once before, to Lori Anne Allison from 1983 to 985. He has previously been engaged to actresses Jennifer Grey, Sherilyn Fenn and Winona Ryder and had a high-profile four-year romance with Kate Moss.

Johnny and Vanessa announced their shock split in June 2012, after 14 years together. A year later, the Lone Ranger star broke his silence.

Johnny with his ex-girlfriend Kate Moss

Speaking to Rolling Stone magazine, Johnny said “the last couple of years have been a bit bumpy”.

“At time, certainly unpleasant, but that’s the nature of break-ups,” he admitted. “I guess especially when there are kiddies involved.

“Relationships are very difficult. Especially in the racket that I’m in because you’re constantly away or they’re away and so it’s hard.”

Johnny has also dated Jennifer Grey, Winona Ryder and Sherilyn Fenn

“It wasn’t easy on her. It wasn’t easy on me. It wasn’t easy on the kids…

“It doesn’t stop the fact that you care for that person, and they’re the mother of your kids, and you’ll always know each other, and you’re always gonna be in each other’s lives because of those kids. You might as well make the best of it.”

In an later interview with CBS This Morning, Johnny said he was “extremely proud” of how Lily-Rose and Jack had coped with the break-up.

Johnny at his wedding to his first wife Lori Anne Allison

He explained that he and Vanessa had been very open with their children during the split, saying, “When you have children, there is not room for lies, no room for anything but the truth. Anything other than that is a bad example.

“We were just very truthful with Lily-Rose and Jack and they were just incredibly understanding, incredibly accepting. I was extremely proud of them, the way they dealt with it.”

As for Johnny’s current relationship, he and Amber have reportedly been engaged for some time but decided to only tell close friends.

Johnny and Amber met on the set of the Rum Diaries

“Of course they couldn’t be happier to be engaged and excited to share the rest of their lives together,” a source told People.

“Amber has really taken well to the kids and really enjoys speeding time with them. And she’s even taken Lily shopping on her own for some bonding time.”

A source told Celebuzz, the engagement “happened on Christmas Eve”, adding, “Amber really took her time to make her mind up”.